Growing up in Tāneatua – a small town just south of Whakatāne in the Eastern Bay of Plenty – Jordan Marr-Henry found limited opportunities and challenges shaped his early years.
“I want other young Māori to know they can become role models within their communities through their chosen careers and personal achievements. I hope in the future to use my skills for the betterment of my iwi – Ngāi Rangitihi – and to inspire others from small towns like Tāneatua to realise that with support and determination, they too can rise above circumstance.”
However, the Keystone Trust alumni had bigger things planned for his life, carving out an impressive career in surveying, which now sees him leading a team at land development consultancy CivilPlan Consultants in Auckland.
His mother, battling cancer and struggling to provide for the family, wanted more for her gifted son and supported him to secure a scholarship to Rotorua Boys’ High – a move that allowed Jordan to thrive academically and athletically.
The prefect and head of Māori Achievement hardly knew what surveying was when his career’s advisor at high school suggested the university course. However, he quickly found it was the right fit, blending his appreciation for the outdoors with strengths in calculus, statistics, and design.
As he sought assistance to pursue tertiary study, the talented year 13 student was shortlisted for the Keystone Trust Study Award and, in 2009, travelled to Auckland with his mother for the interview. “That trip was a profound experience – it was my first to the city, and I’ll never forget what it felt like to sit infront of that selection panel and tell my story.”
He told it well, becoming a successful Keystone Trust scholarship recipient with plans to study at the University of Otago.
With the support of the trust, Jordan flourished in Dunedin, and he remains as grateful as ever for the support and opportunities received during those formative years. “There was a continuous line of communication with the trust and other Keystone students, in particular, the networking events really opened my eyes early to the industry’s potential.”
One such event was the Keystone Trust Rugby Lunch in 2010. “I sat next to one of the executives from Bayleys Real Estate and we chatted for the better part of an hour – rugby, school, property – it was amazing to have the chance to interact with people in leadership positions at these big firms,” he says.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Surveying (Distinction) in 2014 and certainly some life experience following four years in Dunedin, the keen sportsman and representative touch rugby player is thrilled with his chosen career.
Having spent five years in a leadership role at CivilPlan Consultants, he notes that his management experience, along with diverse project work – which includes NZ’s second State Highway delivered through a PPP (Public Private Partnership), the Pūhoi to Warkworth Motorway Extension – has significantly broadened his skillset.
While committed to advancing in the field and leveraging technology to create efficiency, Jordan’s aspirations extend beyond his own personal success, as he hopes to become an advocate for young Māori.
“I want other young Māori to know they can become role models within their communities through their chosen careers and personal achievements. I hope in the future to use my skills for the betterment of my iwi – Ngāi Rangitihi – and to inspire others from small towns like Tāneatua to realise that with support and determination, they too can rise above circumstance.”
For further media enquiries, please contact
Amanda Stanes
Keystone Trust – General Manager
M: 021 689 380
E: amanda@keystonetrust.org.nz
